Numerical analysis of corrosion-induced cracking in prestressed concrete beams due to the corrosion effects on strands

In this article, a novel 3D nonlinear finite element model is presented to predict corrosion-induced cracking in prestressed concrete structures. Induced cracking stress and flexural strength in concrete are validated using experimental results from literature. The analysis explores varying rates of corrosion (0, 2.95, 5.39, 9.25, 12.33, and 14.73% average mass loss) and assesses the stress effects and flexural capacity of prestressed concrete structures. Parametric analysis is conducted on concrete tension and prestress in the strand, revealing that prestress exacerbates corrosion-induced cracking. Additionally, prestress diminishes with increasing strand corrosion, with more pronounced reduction in structures experiencing lower concrete tension.